1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing to express my concern about legislation— Iowa Senate File 2097, that prioritizes mandatory federal cooperation over local control. Decisions about public safety and law enforcement are most effective when they are made locally, by officials who understand their communities and are directly accountable to the people they serve. Local law enforcement exists to protect community safety, not to act as an extension of federal agencies with separate missions and priorities. When cooperation with federal immigration enforcement is required rather than discretionary, local agencies lose the ability to allocate limited time, staff, and resources based on local needs. This can pull attention away from crime prevention, emergency response, and community-based policing efforts that keep residents safe. Community trust is essential to effective policing. When residents fear that contact with local government could expose them or their families to federal enforcement, they are less likely to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, or seek help in emergencies. This erosion of trust makes communities less safe overall and undermines the very goals public safety policies are meant to achieve. Local control also reflects an important constitutional principle. Federalism exists to prevent the federal government from compelling states and localities to carry out federal objectives. Cooperation should remain voluntary and situational, not mandated without regard for local context. Preserving local control allows communities to make thoughtful, responsible decisions about when cooperation serves public safety—and when it does not. Respecting that discretion strengthens accountability, trust, and the effectiveness of law enforcement. Thank you for supporting Iowans!